- New framework to assess the value of university courses to
students and wider society.
- Measures developed to assess value include considering
student satisfaction with teaching, assessment, feedback and
academic support together with graduate employment rates,
contribution to economic growth, and social and environmental
impact.
- This time next year, students will be able to read statements
on English university websites detailing how universities asses
the value of their courses each year.
Universities UK [UUK] will publish a new framework for
universities in England today [Monday 17 January 2022] to
identify and improve any course which falls short of the
high-quality education they aim to offer all students.
Universities already regularly monitor courses, but assessing
value is challenging and can be subjective.
Alongside principles and guidance, the framework sets out core
measures for universities in England to use in annual course
review processes covering student and graduate views on the
course, student outcomes and graduate prospects. This includes
rates of continuation and completion and progression onto
graduate jobs, alongside graduate views on career progression.
In recognition of the wider value of higher education and how
this contributes to national priorities – including levelling up
and improving life chances across the UK, provision of skills,
supporting economic growth nationally and locally and
contributing to social responsibility – the framework provides
guidance on how institutions can consider the full impact of
courses.
Universities are encouraged to consider how their courses
contribute to high growth industries, business creation and
skills needs in local areas, and where graduates contribute to
public services, for example the NHS, and to cultural and
positive environmental activity.
The framework also includes a commitment to transparency and
consistency, as universities in England are asked to publish
statements covering the steps they have taken in monitoring,
assessing, and taking action on low value courses on their
websites by early 2023.
Professor Julia Buckingham CBE, Chair of UUK’s advisory
group for programme reviews and Chair of The Institute of Cancer
Research, London, commented: “Universities must be able
to communicate why they offer the courses they do, and the value
of those courses, to prospective students, employers and the
public.
“Although UK universities have a strong track record of
delivering high quality courses which equip students with the
knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to progress to rewarding
careers, universities know there is a need to address public
concerns about potentially low value courses.
“This framework will help universities take a more consistent and
transparent approach to annual course reviews and support them in
taking decisive action should a course fall below the high,
world-class standards they rightly set.
ENDS
Notes
- The framework has been developed by an advisory group of
vice-chancellors, chaired by Professor Julia Buckingham CBE.
Extensive consultation with UUK members took place in summer
2021.
- The framework will be available on UUK’s website later today
[Monday 17 January 2022].
- Core measures have been identified as follows:
- Student satisfaction rates – the percentage of students
satisfied with teaching, assessment, feedback and academic
support.
- Student expectations – comparing student views throughout
their time at university.
- Continuation rates – the percentage of students progressing
to the following year.
- Completion rates – the percentage of students who start on a
course and are projected to leave with a qualification.
- Graduate prospects, including the percentage of graduates in
high-skilled employment, graduate unemployment and graduate views
on career progress.
- Universities are encouraged to consider the impact of their
courses against these measures:
- Economic growth – including the proportion of graduates
employed in high growth industries, particularly in low growth
areas, and levels of employment or further study in local areas.
- Social responsibility – including the gap in degree awards
between target groups of students, contributions that support
essential public services such as the NHS, or roles which support
the UK’s lucrative creative industries or have a positive impact
on the environment.
- University mission and strategy – how university strategies
link with strategically important research, meet the skills needs
of local employers and support local schools.
- Universities UK is the collective voice of 140 universities
in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its mission is
to create the conditions for UK universities to be the best in
the world; maximising their positive impact locally, nationally
and globally. Universities UK acts on behalf of universities,
represented by their heads of institution. www.universitiesuk.ac.uk
